Clarxfier



Dec. 31, 1929. c. v. FUQUA 1,741,187

CLARIFIER Fil ed Oct. 13, 1927 IINVENTOR C/are/Ice M F1170 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARENCE V, FUQUA, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEANERS EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI CLARIFIER Application filed October 13, 1927. Serial No. 225,984.

My invention relates to cleaning apparatus and more particularly to containers for cleaning liquid, the object being to pass the liquid through the container under such conditions that clarification will be promoted and an even flow produced without the use of battles.

In accomplishing these and other objects I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tank constructed in accordance with my invention, the walls being partly broken away to disclose interior equipment.

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of an improved nozzle element for letting 1n or for letting out a liquid.

Referring in detail to the drawings:

1 designates the wall of a tank. I prefer to show it as an auxiliary tank, such as may be used intermediately in a continuous flow system for supplying cleaning fluid to a dry cleaning plant, and is preferably installed underground.

The tank is provided with a sharply conical bottom 2 and with a conical top 3 which may be relatively of less conical altitude than the bottom. The bottom 2 is extended to the conical point 1 to provide the sump or recess 5 wherein a suction pipe 6 extends, the suction pipe being adapted to conduct lint, silt, and other substances that may be deposited by or released from the gasoline or other liquid contained in the tank or passed through it and withdrawn by suction.

The liquid is indicated by the numeral 7 admitted through the intake pipe 8 and departing through the outlet pipe 9. The control of its continuous flow through the tank is especially provided for. It is desired to avoid surges and currents from inlet to outlet that would prevent the settling out or foreign substances and that would cause the inlet fluid to pass in rapid streams as through a channel from the inlet to the oulet. Ordinarily internal baiiies wouldbe installed to prevent the channeling oi. the fluid mov-v outlet 9. The inlet pipe is introduced into the tank through the top 3 and extends to the lower end of the cylindrical wall 1 of the tank and a nozzle 10 is provided on the inlet comprising the semi-circular pipe 11 having closed ends 12 and the slot 13 produced in the circumference of the pipe longitudinally thereof and in its under surface. The nozzle receiving the liquid from the inlet pipe distributes the liquid over a relatively large area and in sheet form into the lower portion of the tank, whereby the liquid tends to move in relatively undisturbed mass and without substantial agitation through the tank to the outlet.

The curved pipe or nozzle may, of course, have any desired shape or disposition with reference to the tank, for example, it may be a pipe curved on a short are or may extend substantially around the tank. The slot may be provided in any desired position in the pipe for a particular purpose.

A similar nozzle member 10 comprising the semi-circular pipe designated 14 is provided for the outlet pipe 9 which is introduced adjacent the upper end of the tank, the nozzle member being positioned diagonally oppo-' site the inlet nozzle. The slot 15 of sald member 14 is disposed downwardly, whereby the s am "advert in sheet term regular and even flow is maintained; the dimensions of the slots in the members 11 and 14 helng .substantiallv identical so that the liquid may flow out at the same rate that it flows in.

The pipe of relatively long receiving aperture thus disposed at the top of the tank gathers the fluid from a large area into the tubular body portion of the outlet pipe, so that the fluid passes into the outlet pipe without appreciable channeling effect upon the mass of fluid in the tank.

The conical top is provided with a vent 16 in the apex thereof. A vent pipe 17 is connected with the vent and extends to a level appropriate to the pressure in the tank. The provision of the conical top provides for the collection of air at one point spaced from the developing elsewhere in the tank, and of thedelivery of air bubbles into the outlet.

In operation, the liquid, which flows continuously through the tank, is admitted in sheet form through the slotted nozzle, and moves in a relatively even flow towards the outlet. The even flow and the absence or" turbulent action permit lint and other substances to fall to the sump, where it may be withdrawn through the suction pipe. The liquid is received for onward flow through the slotted nozzle of the outlet and, therefore, there is relatively little agitation of the liquid in the tank. The liquid flows through the tank therefore insuch a manner that no pockets of air are forined, portions of liquid admitted are successively passed out, the movement of all'parts of the'admitted stream being substantially continuous.

What I claim and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. In an auxiliary tank interposed in a flow line having an inlet adjacent the bottomthereof and an outlet adjacent the top and laterally oppositely disposed to the inlet, slotted means delivering liquid downwardly from the inlet in sheet form over a relatively large area of the tank, and downwardly opening means connected with the outlet having a slot for collecting the fluid in sheet form over a relatively large area.

2. In combination with a cylindrical tank having a conical bottom, an outlet at its top, and a pipe for delivering fluid to the tank, a curved pipe substantially conforming to the curve of the tank connected to the deincluding a flow line and a tank in the flow line, inlet and outlet members at opposite sides of the tank comprising elongated nozzles having longitudinal slots for distributing fluid in sheet form to one side of the tank and collecting the fluid in sheet form from the other side of the tank.

4. In a device of the character described,

including a flow line and a tank in the flow line, inlet and outlet members at opposite sides of the tank comprising elongated nozzles having longitudinal slots located at opposite ends of the tank for distributing fluid in sheet form to one side of the tank and collecting the fluid in sheet form from the other side of: the tank; h o I Intestimony whereof I: afiixmy signature.

CLARENCE FUQUA. 

